Child - Parenting Hub

Advice from the experts

Avoid the Procrastination

Having a plan is always a good idea, however not everything goes according to plan, therefore considering the everchanging world we live in, adaptability becomes more important every day. The need for planning remains imperative to avoid procrastination, discourse and discouragement. The 6 steps below can provide guidance on creating a plan that suits your lifestyle: Step 1 – Organise your living/working space This will not only with assist with decluttering your space but also your mind. Having an organised space will motivate you to accomplish other tasks. Step 2 – What needs to be done? Write down all the tasks you need to complete. At this stage the focus is the end game, what you want to achieve. Priority of tasks, scheduling and resources needed to accomplish these tasks are not important at this stage. Step 3 – Prioritise your tasks and resources Assign a deadline to completing each task, this will assist with prioritising your attention to what needs to be accomplished first. Be aware of what resources are needed to accomplish these tasks efficiently and effectively. This will also assist with prioritising the completion of tasks. Display your tasks as a reminder of what needs to be achieved. Example: Matriculate Cum Laude Step 4 – Set SMART goals Creating SMART goals will assist with achieving every goal set. Below is a framework of what should be included in a goal. Specific Don’t generalise what needs to be achieved, the more specific the task the easier it is to achieve. Measurable How can a task be completed if there’s nothing to measure it against? Including a measurement aspect to a goal assists with knowing how much you’ve achieved. Attainable Is this goal physically and mentally attainable? Do you have the capabilities to achieve this goal? Relevant The goal created needs to assist with achieving the ultimate task mentioned in step 2. Time Include a period as to when this goal needs to be completed. This assists with scheduling and integrating other tasks that must be achieved. Write your goals down and display it as a reminder of the tasks ahead. Example: To Achieve 90% in English every school term. Step 5 – How to achieve your goals? Create as many tactics that work together needed to achieve the set goal. Example: Read over English work covered in class as homework. Read over work that will be covered in the next class. Step 6 – Visual schedule Create a visual schedule to look at as a reminder of what needs to be done and to tick off tasks to create a sense of accomplishment. Include free/leisure time into your schedule and ensure that enough time is planned to complete a task incase the “unpredictable” happens and you need to adapt your plan to suit these changes. Technology has blessed us with applications that provide some of these steps however the act of writing your tasks down and displaying it in your working space can be more motivating to complete these desired tasks. It creates a greater sense of order and achievement. Remember to always enjoy what you do as there is no point to doing something that creates stress and unhappiness. This however goes hand in hand with a good plan that balances your time fairly and realistically. Written by: Abbotts Colleges

May 7, 2019

Helping your child prepare for exams

Start early, make a schedule, get enough exercise (and sleep!) and review past papers. These are all great tips to prepare your child for writing exams. But sadly these are most of the time only applicable in theory. As a mother of two sport-crazy boys, I’ve learnt that preparing your children for exams and assessments require far more. Because writing exams are by default stressful, I’ve decided to share a few techniques and great apps to help you and your kids study smarter and to take the stress out of writing exams. Many studies have proven that, especially for younger children, formal assessments are stressful and the results are not necessarily a fair reflection of the child’s understanding of the work. While starting early and drafting exam schedules sound like great techniques, in reality it can become quite tricky to implement with young, not-so-eager-to-study kids who would rather play xBox, sport or even clean their rooms than actually sit and study. So let’s make it more practical: How should a child actually study? If this is your child’s first exam, he or she will need guidance, but sometimes an older child, who has written many exams, may benefit from a new approach. These are some ideas to make studying easier for you and your child. Encourage your children to use as many of their senses as possible when studying to ensure maximum retention: Read through all the pages allocated for that day’s studying – preferably out loud. If you child is an auditory learner, let him or her record themselves while reading the text. This exercise of reading with meaning is crucial as it helps to give a bigger picture of the topic that has to be studied. Not all children study with notes, but it is definitely advisable to encourage your child to make notes in some form or another. Some children make lists, some make mind maps, some may write down only key words. Children making notes for the first time will need help as they tend to write down everything at first. Something that I found worked very well is helping your first-time-note-maker by writing simple questions which they then must answer by searching for answers in the text. These questions and answers can then be used as notes to study from. Just beware of the ‘perfect-notes’ trap. Do not spend so much time making perfect notes that there is no time left to actually study the notes! Allow your child enough time to memorise and understand the notes just made. It should take an average Grade 4 child about 30-45 minutes to memorise one page of notes (which should represent about 3 to 4 pages in their books). Break this into two 20/25 min sessions with a 10 min break in between. Test retention immediately, if possible. Up to Grade 7 your child will definitely benefit if you are available to take a few minutes after a day of studying to check if they have retained the information studied. This will give you an indication if the study time was spent productively or not, and also if the study load (as set out in the schedule) is too little or too much for your child. The day before the exam, study only from the notes or listen to the recordings of your notes. Then do a past paper or mock exam paper to highlight any areas that still need attention. Super study schedules A schedule is an important part of exam preparation as it gives you a complete overview of exactly what needs to be done and how much time you have left. A schedule also give you a sense of accomplishments when you are able to draw a line through a day and know that you have achieved your goal. Your help will be needed with compiling the schedule, maybe even for your older child. Planning is an advanced skill that some children only learn a lot later in life. A few tips and ideas on schedules: Start by studying the subjects first that you write last in the exam. Effectively this means that at least your child would have gone over the work he or she writes at the end of the exam, when they would not be that eager to study anymore. Schedule time to makes notes and to study the notes. It is advisable to only make the notes for the topic or pages allocated for that day and then to study those notes. If possible, break each subject into topics and study a topic in a session. This will give a more coherent picture and understanding of the work. Do not over-estimate your child’s ability to study a lot of work in a short period. Rather allow for more time and more breaks than you think are necessary. Remember that normal school activities like sport and cultural activities will continue and should be factored into the schedule. The schedule should be updated and amended when necessary. The schedule should end two days before the exams start. The day before, only the subject/s written the next day should be revised. Download these brilliant apps to help you set up a schedule: My Study Life This app provides a complete schedule and calendar solution and has a separate section where exams can be scheduled. It is relatively easy to use and reminders can be activated or de-activated for classes, exams or tasks. 30/30 30/30 allows you to set timers to complete specific tasks. The interface is sharp and innovative, allowing users to control the app easily with swipes and gestures. 30/30 Can also give you a better understanding of how long it really takes to do certain things. This is less of an exam planner and more of a timer that ensures you do not spend more time than planned on a specific task. myHomework myHomework is simple, reliable and works even without an Internet connection. Like the other apps, you can set tasks

May 2, 2019

What to do if you’re child is the bully

Bullying at school is common and the source of much misery and discomfort for many students and their parents in turn. The effects can be long lasting for the victim’s health and wellbeing, sometimes even having fatal consequences. Teachers are trained to help combat this anti-social behaviour and parents as well as students have access to many outside support structures that give guidance on how to overcome the effects of bullying. Parents, often, only see their child as a possible victim and therefore, guide their child on how to avoid being bullied. It is rare for parents to consider that their child might be the bully. This is understandable; after all, acknowledging that your child is a bully, is possibly an indictment on you as a parent. Sadly, we are well aware that bullying at schools is rife; someone is doing it. Frighteningly, it could very well be your child. One should recognise and acknowledge this possibility and remedy such behaviour patterns immediately. Your child could see denying the occurrence or ignoring the problem as acceptance of this anti-social behaviour. The long-term consequences of being a bully are scary. Bullies are prone to mental illness later in life. They continue to be aggressive and even violent. According to stopbullying.govbullying is a risk factor for depression and thinking about suicide. Children who bully others, are bullied, or both bully and are bullied are more likely to think about or attempt suicide than those who are not involved in bullying at all. Therefore, if you notice some of the following signs, it is time to step in and get help for your child as mentioned by Sheeri Gordon on Tips for addressing bullying by your child(2019): Your child is often in the company of other bullies Your child is constantly criticising and insulting other children to the extent that they feel belittled and offended Your child is regularly violating the school’s code of conduct and in trouble at school Your child actively invites kids over but turns down a couple that used to be included Your child is obsessed with being popular Your child is aggressive physically and/or verbally Your child is uncompassionate and has no concern for those that suffer Your child avoids you and spends too much time alone at home Address the bullying without delay; don’t hope that it will stop. Your child must know that you explicitly disapprove of the behaviour and that they will be disciplined. It must be clearly understood that bullying is inexcusable. However, the appropriate disciplinary measures can only be taken if you know why your child is bullying someone else. Identify the reasons, for example, your child may be bullying others because they want to be part of a popular group. You should address the importance of keeping the right company and not succumbing to peer pressure. Remember to let the punishment fit the crime. A knee jerk reaction is likely to make matters worse. Taking away privileges is a tried and tested form of discipline for teens and is very effective. For example, you can take away electronics, watching TV and the privilege of attending parties or special events. The list is endless. Ensure that that you don’t give in at any point and stick to the length of time that the privilege will be revoked. Collaborate with the school and show full support for the school’s code of conduct. Don’t attempt to rescue them from the consequences of their actions. Once this is done, your child will expect that you will always do so and will not take responsibility for their actions. Determine the details of your child’s bullying behaviour. Are there skills your child is lacking that may prevent future bullying incidents like anger management and impulse control? Seek professional assistance if required. Don’t dispel the value of a session or two with a psychologist if need be. Avoid humiliating or shaming your child, especially not in front of anyone else. Letting family members and friends know about what is going on, will not help. In fact, it could prove only to worsen the behaviour. Keep it private and the solution will be more easily achieved. Remember, praise may be public; but punishment, always private. Talk about the consequences of bullying; be sure your child takes the time to really think about how he would feel if he was on the receiving end. When children learn to see things from a different viewpoint, they are less likely to bully again. Raising your child’s emotional intelligence and instilling empathy will go a long way in preventing bullying. So consider carefully, your own actions and utterances as a parent; children most often, unwittingly emulate their parents. When bullying is identified early and addressed appropriately, it usually won’t happen again. However, don’t automatically assume that this is the case. Instead, monitor your child’s conduct and continue to discipline him if necessary. If given the right skill set, most children who bully others can change. Stopping your child from bullying others can take some time, it’s not an overnight solution. Written by: Sedhoorajan Padayachee, Principal at Abbotts College Northcliff

May 2, 2019

Making memories with your children

You don’t need an extravagant vacation to make a lifetime of memories with your children. When my son was two years old we went on a family holiday to Portugal, he was very excited about going on a plane. He enjoyed the flight and thought this was all very exciting but the carrying of luggage bags, staying at various homes of family and friends, not having our own bed to sleep in and not having our family routine was too overwhelming for him. He soon felt insecure and was not as excited about being on holiday. Two years later we immigrated to Portugal where our daughter was born, we made it a priority to do something exciting with them outdoors. We would make sure that every weekend and one day during the week after work we would have a family outing. In summer we would go to the beach and even in winter we would walk along the beach Picnic in the park Picnic by the lake on the mountain Visit museums and castles Go to various play parks where they could ride their bikes and climb on the jungle gyms One day I decided to camp in my living-room, the children brought their sleeping bags and their toys and my wife and I slept on the floor while they slept in between us and I must say that they were so excited. Although it was not comfortable it was worth seeing them so excited. This is a moment that I will always treasure with my children. This made me realise that you don’t have to always go out of your home to have a family adventure. Children treasure having quality time with their parents and these are memories that they will always treasure. A few suggestions: Have a camp out in your garden Board games evening Play hide and seek Picnic in the garden Movie and pyjama day Gardening day (plant vegtables and let them see it grow) Family baking day Go for a adventure hike Visit a nature reserve HOME is a special place for children and gives them a sense of belonging and security Contributed by Jose De Sousa of Clamber Club Sports – LynnwoodCell: 063 682 2520Email: [email protected] Website: www.clamberclub.com

April 24, 2019

6 Parenting Tips To Get Your Kids Listening

Being a parent brings many joys and along with those joys comes challenges. It is not always easy or simple teaching our children the things they need to know to keep them safe along with all the other skills they are going to need in life. My biggest frustration has always been how to get my kids to listen while still keeping myself calm and patient. I don’t want to be that nagging screeching mother. It has sometimes felt like nothing I do gets my kids to listen. Here are some of the things that I have learned that help my kids to listen: Are Their Needs Met? Now this may seem like it has nothing to do with getting your children to listen but it is actually really important – if my kids needs are not met they become grumpy little creatures that create mayhem everywhere they go. This is particularly true of my son that has just turned 5 years old. If he has not eaten properly or he is tired he is sure to melt down and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. If my kids are bored, excited, hungry or tired I can’t expect them to behave perfectly or listen properly. As far as possible I try and be prepared for anything. I have toys, books, coloring books, crayons, spare clothes and emergency snacks and drinks in my car. This means that I can mostly meet their needs whenever and wherever we are. If we are sitting in a restaurant that has no play area and the food is taking too long I can whip out a book to entertain them and if they are getting hungry I can give them a quick snack to keep them going until their meal arrives, instead of moaning at them to sit still and to keep the noise levels down You will be amazed at how just this one thing can change a situation around. One of the challenges I have often had as a work from home mom is that my kids just want my attention. Instead of pushing to get my work done first I do something with them and I will let them know that I need to work afterwards and what is expected of them while I work. I get them started on that activity before I get going with my work. Their needs have then been met and then I can get some work done. Get Their Attention The next important thing is to get down to their level and talk to them. Get yourself down to their eye level and hold their hands, then ask them to look at you while you talk to them. Holding their hands will keep them focused on you while you talk. Once you have spoken to your children ask them to repeat back to you what you have said to make sure that they did in fact listen and to ensure that they properly understand what you have said. Yes you may be busy and trying to get something done so calling out for them to stop what they are doing may seem like the simple and easy way to do things but it really serves no purpose and you will most likely land up moaning, groaning, nagging and even yelling. Taking a few moments to get their attention properly and talk to them once will be much more effective. Use Positive Talk If you feel like what you are saying is going in one ear and out the other it probably is. If you want your children to listen try changing the way that you speak. Turn negatives into positives and see what a difference it makes. Your child will not enjoy hearing you saying this like “stop it”, “don’t do that”, “no” and similar negative statements. Instead replace those with positive statements that tell your children what they should be doing instead of what they shouldn’t be doing. Rephrasing something like “don’t bounce the ball in the house” to “please play with your ball in the garden” can make such a difference to the way that your child processes the information. Your child is much more likely to listen and follow your instructions when they are phrased in a positive way and the message is clear. Think about it – if you tell your child not to bounce the ball in the house are you telling your child what they should be doing instead? Explanations Very often children don’t understand why they can’t do something. Let’s take something very simple like the example of bouncing the ball in the house. If you tell your child not to bounce the ball in the house it is a negative statement that does not teach your child why it is important to play with their ball outside. It may take something as simple as explaining to your child that bouncing the ball and throwing the ball in house can lead to things in the home being broken. Broken things can result in dangerous situations such as being cut by broken glass. You can use situations as a way to explain to your children why you don’t want them to do something instead of just telling them what they shouldn’t be doing and leaving it at that. Use Books and Videos To Teach Your Children Lessons Children love reading books and watching videos. Look for fun books that teach your children lessons – they are sure to take these things in and start to understand things in a better way. There are also lots of free Youtube videos that teach lessons to kids. Children absorb information better when they are enjoying themselves and when it doesn’t seem like a lesson to them. There are so many amazing books that can teach your children lessons (like the importance of listening) and the values that are important to you as a family. Reading to your children is also a wonderful way of bonding with your

April 23, 2019

Positive discipline

When talking about discipline in schools, modern trends use buzz-words such as “Positive discipline”; “Values-based education” and “Character guides rather than codes of conduct”. The aim of these “different” or “new” approaches is to focus on rewarding and encouraging positive behaviour, rather than focusing on punishing negative behaviour. Children learn to cultivate habits, approaches and values, that are not only relevant to the classroom or school grounds, but to society, the adult world, and life. It might be too early to say in some instances, but it appears, through the experiences of teachers, that this “new” approach is working. Positive discipline is based on the idea that there are no bad children, just good and bad behaviour. Below are a few tips to assist with positive reinforcement when disciplining your child: Create understanding rather than fear. Creating fear in a child, to stop them from repeating what they did will not completely stop them. They will still want to do it again. If you explain to them why “what they did” was wrong or inappropriate, there’s a higher chance of them not wanting to do it again. During this engagement understanding on both sides should be encouraged. The parent also needs to understand why their child did what they did. Control yourself not the child Children strive for independence throughout their childhood. Give them the power and responsibility to make their own decisions and control their own behaviour. Don’t compare Comparing children to others will encourage them to behave more defensively, resent their actions or themselves and lose confidence in themselves. Allow them to own their actions and don’t associate their behaviours with other children. Don’t shame your child Discussing your children’s behaviour to others in front of them is not an effective way to express your concern, rather have this discussion in private. Children don’t need to be reprimanded multiple times about the same incident by other individuals. Focus on their good qualities Nobody likes to be told that they’re wrong however constructive criticism is an effective method for self-reflection and behaviour change. Use your child’s good qualities to overcome their bad qualities.

April 22, 2019

How To Get Your Kids To Go To The Dentist

We’ve all been there as a child—apprehensive, maybe even afraid of the dentist. Now as a parent, you face the other side, helping your child beat their fear of the dentist. The good news is, there are many things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable for them so that the next time they need a checkup, they go with a lot less fuss. Here are some of the things you can do to get your kids to go to the dentist. Start Dental Visits Early Many kids fear the things they don’t know. If you take them to the dentist early enough, they will be used to it long before many of their friends are. As soon as they get their first teeth, you can introduce them to the fact that there is nothing to worry about. Let Them Talk to a Dentist There is nothing wrong with calling your dentist and informing them of your child’s apprehensions. A lot of the time, they will welcome a visit so they can discuss the process with your child. Even if they don’t end up being treated that day, it can go a long way towards helping future visits. Use a Family-Friendly Dentist. Some Dentists will be friendlier than others. Given this, you want to make sure you find one that specializes in family treatments, so you know your kids are in good hands. In terms of being family friendly, North Pointe dental options are abundant. Enquire before you visit your office of choice and see how they can make your child more comfortable. Do Not Use Bribery It can be tempting to offer a reward for visiting the dentist. This can add to the tension they are feeling. If you tell them that if they don’t cry, they can have X, then they will think about why they might cry just as much as the reward. Also, any offer of a sugary reward isn’t a great idea, for obvious reasons. Give the Dentist Space There is nothing wrong with holding your child’s hand if they ask, or even if you feel like you want to. What you shouldn’t be doing is interfere if they make a fuss about the situation. The dentist will be well versed in how to help your child feel more relaxed. It will be easier for them to do so if they are given the room to. Encourage Good Oral Hygiene If you encourage your child to develop good teeth care habits, then they will better understand why a trip to the dentist is necessary. Help your child to see that a dentist will work to keep their teeth healthy. Although it can be a stressful time for both parent and child, a few simple steps can go a long way. Your future trips to the dentist will run a lot smoother when you know how to help.

April 18, 2019

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMICS

Believe in yourself. Assess your current academic performance and set appropriate academic goals. Make a commitment to your goals by creating a dream board and displaying it on your mirror. Get organised. Set up a study schedule/timetable and keep to it. You should study in a well-equipped area (proper desk and chair) with sufficient light and ventilation. Avoid distractions, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, computer games, game consoles and TV. Ensure that your workbooks for each subject is as neat (as possible), organised, dated and up to date. Do not fall behind. File all extra notes, papers and memo’s immediately by pasting them into your workbook. Drafting a schedule/timetable. It is important to allocate time for Homework time. Study breaks – Rule of thumb is a break of 10 – 15 minutes after each 45-minute study session. However, everyone has a different attention span. Do not use this as an excuse to procrastinate. Do not “cram” – you will probably soon forget the content. Your goal. should be to study for long term memory effect throughout the year. Allocate time for relaxation, family and friends. Preparation for ANY subject includes: Completing your homework, yourself. If possible, try to mark it before you go to class. This way you already know what to ask the teacher. Do complete corrections during class discussions. Albert Einstein (is broadly credited to have) exclaimed: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results” .Learn from your mistakes. If you are still confused, make sure to visit the teacher during compulsory homework. Then try it on your own, until you are proficient. Studying is not a spectator sport. To become the best, you need to partake and practice. How to get better at Math If you struggle with a specific calculation, try to break it down into simpler more manageable concepts. Memorise the theory, such as formulas, theorems, properties, definitions, proves, rules, sketches etc. You should know all of these by heart. If you struggle to remember these, try to connect the new unfamiliar concept to something that is already familiar to you, for example a rhyme, a parody or sketch. When revising/preparing for exams and tests, return to worked examples and activities in your workbook. Practise these before you move on to past papers. Practice past papers. Not one or two, but as many as you can lay your hands on!! Use a search engine, such as Google to download past papers. If you can only find a few past papers, practice these until you are completely proficient in the calculations and time management. Humans are complex. Memory includes visual, auditory and tactile memory. When studying you should SAY it, WRITE it and SKETCH it. Practice to complete a task against a time limit to ensure that you will be able to finish in time during exams and tests. Revise, revise, revise… DO NOT rewrite the textbook. Use effective tools such as mind maps, flow diagrams or mnemonic devices (memory games). You need to find a tool or tools that work for you. Revise the previous day’s work before you go to class the next day. You should PRACTICE and REVISE subject content on a CONTINUOUS and DAILY basis! How to prepare for practical subjects such as CAT, IT, Drama, Visual Arts and Design? PRACTICING new skills daily. You will not become proficient if you do not practice. REVISE your theory by breaking it up into smaller, manageable sections and spreading it over time. Pay attention to the glossary in the back of the textbook and summaries at the end of each chapter. Pay attention to new trends and technology features in the daily news. Practice to complete a task against a time limit to ensure that you will be able to finish in time during exams. Keep to deadlines for Practical Assessment Tasks. Do not procrastinate. These need time to develop, grow on you and take shape. The teacher cannot help you, if you are not at school! To do your best, you must get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals and drink water. DO NOT drink caffeine laden energy drinks. It is bad for your health and your brain! Do not work into the early hours of the morning, you will not be able to concentrate in class or perform well in tests – sleep enough. Reward yourself between study breaks with activities you love. Get your priorities in order – what is your dream for your future? (If you do not have a dream it is high time you get one!) Implement the plan – do not procrastinate. Eat little bits of the elephant (a big task) by prioritising, setting goals and rewarding yourself for completing steps. Written by: Sanet van Rensburg, Principal at Abbotts College Centurion

April 10, 2019

Is homework still relevant

A student’s high school career is far more than mastering subjects. The goal is to facilitate the development and transformation of adolescents into independent young adults, prepared to deal with the 21st century challenges. The adult world demands self-study, discipline and independent thought. Entrenched behavioural patterns are difficult to change; hence, instilling a good work routine whilst at school is essential for future success. • It teaches a student to work independently. Engaging with the content on their own allows them to find solutions and formulate opinions without the prompts or cues from teachers, peers or parents. • It teaches a student to take responsibility for his or her work. The student must be an active participant: it is conducive to confidence building and encourages self-reliance. • It allows a student to review and practise what has been covered during the lesson. Extensive research has been done on the memory retention of information over a period. Regular reviewing allows a broader knowledge base when applying the minds to new content. Any potential misunderstandings or lack of comprehension can be addressed far sooner. • It helps a student to get ready for the next day’s lesson. Being prepared for the lessons allows the student to feel more in control and this in turn boosts their confidence and aids the development of a positive self-image. • It encourages a student to explore the subject content far more thoroughly than class time permits. This is vital for giving depth to the work they are grappling with and leads to discoveries, making connections and problem solving. • It allows a student to extend learning by applying skills to new situations. Doing their homework properly establishes a strong foundation. Successful attempts to solving higher order questions are only possible once the content has clearly crystallised in their mind. • It is part of the revision and consolidation process in adequately preparing for tests and examinations. Practice makes perfect! Clichés are clichés because they hold a lot of truth. Author: Andre Moolman, Principal at Abbotts College Century City.

April 4, 2019

Are headphones damaging your hearing

If it’s too loud, you’re too old? No, more like too sensible… Headphones and earphones are the accessory of our times. They are affixed to our ears to deliver music or podcasts, to conduct telephone calls, to accompany a workout routine, or to drown out the conversation of colleagues in open-plan offices. But is all this in-ear noise safe? The answer, unfortunately, is “not really”, but you can take steps to prevent or reduce the harm of being plugged in all day. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), up to 1.1 billion teenagers worldwide are at risk of hearing loss from unsafe use of personal audio devices, including smartphones, and exposure to damaging levels of sound at noisy entertainment venues. Of course, it’s not just teenagers who are at risk – anyone who is exposed to harmful noise levels can suffer the same hearing damage. The WHO points out that hearing loss has potentially devastating consequences for physical and mental health, education and employment. How headphones damage your hearing Sound waves travel into your ears and cause the eardrum to vibrate. This vibration is then transmitted to the inner ear via several small bones. In the inner ear, the vibrations reach the cochlea, a fluid-filled chamber that has thousands of small hairs that are moved by the vibrations. It is the movement of these hairs that enables us to hear sound. If you listen to loud sounds, the hairs move more, and if you listen to loud sounds for too long, the hairs can lose their sensitivity to vibration, or become damaged. While it is possible for the hairs to recover over time from a single instance of loud noise, repeatedly listening to sounds that are too loud and for too long can result in permanent damage and hearing loss. Preventing damage To avoid headphone-related hearing damage, the WHO strongly recommends the following: Restrict the daily use of personal audio devices to less than one hour. Limit the time spent on noisy activities by taking short listening breaks (a time when you listen to nothing). Audiologists also recommend: Turn down the volume. If you are listening through headphones and you can’t hear any of the noise around you, then your volume is too loud and is damaging your ears. Use over-the-ear headphones rather than in-ear earphones, as they increase the distance between the source of the noise and your eardrums, reducing the chance of damage. Even better, if you are listening at home or in the car, play your music or other media over a speaker, at moderate volume. If you are planning to be in a loud-noise environment, take a headphone break for most of the day so that your ears haven’t already been damaged by sound. How do I know if there’s hearing damage? If you experience any of the warning signs of hearing loss, visit a doctor or audiologist immediately, and get regular hearing check-ups so that if hearing is being lost, action can be taken. The signs of hearing loss include: the muffling of some sounds, difficulty understanding words especially when there is background noise, trouble hearing consonants, increasingly asking people to repeat themselves, needing to turn up the volume on the television, radio or device, withdrawing from conversations, or avoiding social situations. Safeguard your hearing While listening to music at loud volumes may be cool and fun and being permanently plugged into a set of phones is just the way life is, a permanent loss of hearing can affect your quality of life forever. Rather take the steps to prevent hearing damage and enjoy existing in a hearing world for as long as possible. How long to listen It’s not just volume but time spent listening to sound that is damaging to your ears. Here is a useful guide to how long you can listen to noises at certain volumes: By 1Life

April 3, 2019

How to teach children to respect their teachers

It is common knowledge that teachers are some of the most stressed professionals in our country. They face abuse of various kinds on a daily basis and one cannot deny that this is having a profound impact on an education system that is already struggling. In addition, and perhaps even more worrying is the steady increase in incidents of verbal and emotional disrespect shown toward teachers by the learners in their care. Education in South Africa is being compromised and it is time for parents to step in and step up to help rectify the problem before it becomes completely unmanageable. According to Cindy Glass, Owner and Founder of Step Up Education Centres, “Education is the root of success. It is an essential tool which, when delivered and received correctly, could change the face of poverty and other challenges that face our country at this time. The benefits of a good education can never be underestimated and ensuring that learners respect their teachers is an essential and most necessary step if we are to make positive progress in learning”. She gives the following things to consider when teaching your child to respect their teachers: You are your child’s first and longest-lasting teacher. Your child needs your guidance and assistance in learning the value of respecting self and others. It is important to remember that our children are likely to do what we do, rather than what we say. Encourage respect of teachers by respecting your child’s teachers. Avoid teacher-bashing conversations and seek to find positive solutions to challenges that present themselves. Teach your child that, no matter the circumstance, there is always a way to find a solution. Teachers are human too. They have an enormous responsibility to assist your child in becoming the best version of themselves. Teachers make mistakes. Disrespectful comments and abusive behaviors are not the solution. Open communication is needed to find ways of assisting both parties in achieving the desired outcomes in learning. Every choice that we make defines the path of our lives. All negative behaviours are based on fear, low self-esteem, self-defeating and destructive self-talk and low self-value. We need to teach our children to own their mistakes and choices and to avoid blaming others for their shortfalls. Taking frustrations out on their teachers only exasperates their difficulties whereas they could find wisdom and assistance with their teacher instead. Learners need to recognise and acknowledge that challenges are a part of growth and learning. There are always ways to seek and receive the help that they need, without a show of disrespect to anyone. Disrespect reflects their character, not the teachers. Teach your children that disrespecting & abusing teachers is an indication of who THEY are, not of who their teachers are. Negative behavioural choices reflect on the giver, not the receiver. It is a clear indication that the person does not respect and honour themselves. It certainly does not engender admiration from his peers. Seek to develop positive self-respect and self-value in your children and this will ensure that they give the same to others.

April 1, 2019

SPECIAL NEEDS OR NEEDING SOMETHING SPECIAL

My children simply did not fit into the mainstream schooling system. They’re both very bright and along with that come some eccentricities that often get labelled as problems within a very structured environment where children are expected to be alike, fit within the system and not stand out or cause waves. My ten year old once explained it like this: “I’m like a puzzle piece that’s been put in the wrong box… I don’t fit anywhere. There’s no place for me.” That’s quite a tough feeling for a small child to bear. And it isn’t that there’s something wrong with her, although within that system that was exactly the message she was getting. There are many children struggling in school who don’t need to be placed in remedial classes. They need something special, but they’re not exactly special needs. They would thrive in a different environment but not that one. I have nothing against remedial education. It is fantastic in the right circumstances. But a child who is simply in the wrong place and is then moved to a remedial class where there are really special needs kids can look around and label themselves. They end up thinking there is something wrong with them. These kids will generally fly if homeschooled or placed in a good cottage school or Montessori or within the Cambridge system where they have the freedom to work at their own pace and fill in the gaps they missed by being in the wrong environment. For some, the box is simply too small to contain them. For others, it’s the noise levels. Some children are visual or kinesthetic learners and don’t respond to lectures. Most children don’t learn at the predetermined pace of the SA education system. Every child is unique – the exact reason that standardized education is failing. Nobody is standard. The trouble is if kids keep being pushed to move onto the next thing without mastering the previous stage then they end up with huge gaps in their foundational knowledge which will cause the whole structure to come crashing down at some point. That’s the point they pick up the label. Or if they learn faster than the system they get bored and restless and get labelled as ADHD or ODD (Oppositional Defiant that is, not odd – although they can be labelled as odd too!) If there is a problem with learning don’t necessarily assume that the problem is with your child. It might be. But it might not. And you are their advocate until they can stand up for themselves. You need to question and explore alternatives and not necessarily take the word of those in educational authority as fact. Only a few children really thrive within the schooling system. Most do not. Your child may genuinely be a special needs child – with Autism or dyslexia or serious processing difficulties and for these children the special needs schools and classrooms can make a huge difference to their ability to learn and develop with the appropriate assistance. But if your child is simply in need of something special – a smaller class, a more nurturing environment, a faster or slower pace, or a different style of teaching – then you need to look beyond the special needs class to any of the amazing alternatives that exist. Every child deserves to feel that there is a puzzle that they will fit in to!

March 28, 2019

Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared

Oneaid focuses on preventing and reducing the risk of childhood injuries. Through blog posts and social media Oneaid offers you, as parents and caregivers, useful information and helpful tips on how to keep your little ones healthy and safe. OneAid by Dr Carmen Becoming a parent is one of the most challenging and liberating experiences anyone can go through. There is no amount of research, childcare books or magazines that will prepare you for parenthood. For most parents keeping their little ones safe and making sure they have few accidents as possible can be extremely stressful. It was, for this reason, Dr Carmen – mother and Doctor – created OneAid. Dr Carmen is a medical doctor with over 10 years experience in accident and emergency medicine, and is also a mom to a beautiful, baby girl. She has a Masters degree in Public Health and is passionate about disease prevention and health education. Social Media In Healthcare Almost 90% of adults have used social media to look for and share health information. Dr Carmen believes that healthcare needs to go digital and more healthcare professionals should be taking advantage of its broad reach. Social media can be an effective tool to get information to the public and promote health and safety. OneAid creates engaging fun content on social media to provide information and tips relating to various public health issues in an effort to spark up conversations to drive behaviour change and education. For a little daily advice on childhood safety issues readers can also subscribe to the OneAid newsletter. The MiniKit by Dr Carmen Cuts, scrapes and burns are common injuries to expect as our little ones gain more confidence in this world. Having a first aid kit on hand can help reduce the risk of infection or the severity of the injury. It also teaches our kids the right thing to do when they hurt themselves. Dr Carmen has designed and developed the MiniKit, a mini first aid kit geared towards common childhood injuries. This is available in two colours – red and yellow and includes first aid essentials such as plasters, burn gels, dressings and more. Plus, the MiniKit’s small size makes it fit perfectly into any nappy or handbag, so parents are always prepared, even on the go. Through its fun and colourful design, Dr Carmen hopes to get little ones engaged and involved in the first aid experience. But that’s not all. Inside each MiniKit you will find a detailed first aid pocket guide that features simple, easy to follow steps on what to do when your child has had a minor accident or fall. By following the guide’s steps, parents can take the necessary action when dealing with broken bones or burns for example, and will now know which medical materials to use. Ordering Your MiniKit Whether you are buying the MiniKit for yourself or as a baby shower gift, it’s really easy to order. All you need to do is visit the OneAid website on www.oneaid.co.za and browse through the products page. Add your products to your cart and checkout when you are done. There is no need to open up any accounts. You can also purchase the pocket guide, which can be downloaded straight onto your phone. If you buy the MiniKit this download will be available to you for free. “Accidents are just that, they happen unintentionally and unexpectedly. With the right information, we can try and reduce the incidence of these accidents.” – Dr Carmen

March 22, 2019

The gift of making mistakes

Mfundo is a young man who is considered to be a top academic and sporting high-flyer. He is in Grade 5 and has already won many awards for his achievements. Despite his top-of-the-class status, his parents and teachers are very concerned because Mfundo is making negative behavioural choices. He is often in trouble for bullying other children and his parents find his tantrums at home almost intolerable. Why would a child who seemingly has everything going for him, behave in this way? The answer is quite simple. According to Cindy Glass, Owner and Co-Founder of Step Up Education Centres, Mfundo, like so many children, has a very low sense of self. “If he is not at the top, he sees himself as being ‘nothing’, unworthy and even worthless! He is so afraid of making mistakes, that he finds life intolerable-unless he pumps-out perfection!” Cindy explains. She adds that the same can be said of children who struggle at school, who give up, dislikes learning of an academic nature or is afraid of trying anything new. “They are so afraid of making a mistake that they would, subconsciously, rather get into trouble for their negative behavioural choices than allow someone to see that they need assistance. These children, too, develop feelings of unworthiness and their self- esteem is at an all-time low.” Cindy believes that it is time for parents and teachers to reconsider age-old patterns of previously learned behaviours which have made the making of mistakes bad, intolerable, reasons for (unnecessary) punishment and a tool to humiliate and embarrass children in the hope that they will change for the ‘better’. She gives parents the following advice on how to give their children the gift of mistakes: It’s important to understand that making mistakes allows for effective learning, problem-solving and critical thinking. Allowing mistakes encourages imagination, creative thinking and the building of confidence! Mistakes are opportunities to experiment and learn. They help us grow and try new ideas. Making mistakes, contrary to popular belief, is actually a gift to humanity! Children fear to make a mistake, not because of the mistake itself, but rather out of a fear of the reaction it would elicit from the adult(s) in their world! As adults, we need to consider teaching our children to recognise and acknowledge their mistakes and to have the confidence to find solutions that work. After all, Thomas Edison is famously quoted (in his many attempts at inventing the light bulb) that he did not fail in his efforts. He simply found 10 000 ways of how not to make a light bulb. He changed the world! Parents and teachers need to teach children that making mistakes is a part of life. There is no such thing as perfection. There will be times when we do not achieve top results. And that is perfect in itself. Making mistakes does not have any bearing on who we are as people. Making mistakes is inevitable. Learning to own and embrace these mistakes as wonderful opportunities to learn and grow is a gift! Parents and teachers need to understand that children are more likely to do what we do that what we say. How we react to mistakes will set the tone for the relationship that children develop with mistakes. “Mistakes can be a burden or a gift. The choice is yours to make” Cindy concludes.

March 22, 2019

Do you worry about your child and cyberbullying?

As digital continues to grow and influence the day to day lives of children, and with the new school year already underway, do you find yourself worrying about the risks your children may face online, especially when it comes to cyberbullying? And do you feel that you know enough about cyberbullying – the signs, the various forms and what measures you can put in place – to not only protect your children but to be able to help them if they face this very real issue? “Despite the many benefits the digital world offers, an unfortunate challenge many parents face today is that they don’t always realise when children are being impacted by cyberbullying,” says Riaan Badenhorst, General Manager for Kaspersky Lab Africa. “This is in no way a reflection on parenting styles, but rather the result of not understanding the different types of cyberbullying that exist and with that, the proactive steps that can be put into place to help protect children from this very dangerous and growing online threat. There are many forms of cyberbullying, and getting a grip on these can assist parents in not only having a better understanding for themselves but to also educate their children on what to look out for.” Forms of cyberbullying: Exclusion – is the deliberate act of leaving someone out – like when a child is excluded from friends’ parties or activities. It can also occur when a child’s friends are having online conversations and tagging other friends but not them. Outing – involves the deliberate act of embarrassing or publicly humiliating a child or group of children, online, through the posting of private, personal, sensitive or embarrassing information, without the child’s permission to do so. Outing can happen in a variety of ways and parents should consider that even reading out aloud a child’s saved message(s) from their mobile phone can be considered a form of outing. Fraping – involves the act of someone logging into someone else’s social networking accounts and impersonating that person by posting inappropriate content, using their name. Parents are likely to be familiar with this type of bullying, as they may have personally experienced it, often in a joking manner. Unfortunately for children, however, it is more than often not a joke. Fraping can lead to repetitional damage and have serious consequences. ‘Google never forgets’ – and so anything posted online is never fully gone, even after it is deleted. Trolling – is a deliberate act of provoking a response through the use of insults or bad language on online forums and social networking sites. A troll aims to personally attack a child, in the hopes that the child becomes angry enough to act in the same way, to get a reaction – and then possibly looks to use it against the child, to get them into trouble at school or with an adult. Catfishing – is when another person steals a child’s online identity and photos, and creates new or alternative social networking profiles, for misleading purposes. A catfish is someone who wants to hide who they really are and does this through creating a fake persona, using images and information they found (and stole) online. Harassment – is sustained, constant and intentional bullying that involves abusive or threatening messages sent to a child or group of children. The messages are mostly malicious and aimed at attacking a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Continues Badenhorst; “All forms of cyberbullying should be perceived by parents/guardians of children as very dangerous and therefore requires immediate attention, as any type of cyberbullying can have massive implications to a child’s well-being.” How parents/guardians can help: Kaspersky Lab offers a few guidelines that can be followed by parents/guardians, as a means to help children deal with cyberbullying: It is important that parents/guardians are tolerant of the situation and do not ‘overreact’ leaving the child feeling scared and embarrassed. Cyberbullying can take some time to fix and so being open and talking through the issue with your child, showing support, can be beneficial in dealing with the problem. Be open and talk about cyberbullying with your children – using things like TV programmes as teachable moments around bullying and online behaviour. Ask them their views on cyberbullying and talk through these. Parents/guardians should be conversation starters on the topic – don’t wait for your child to raise the matter – look for signs of cyberbullying as the earlier the matter is picked up the faster it can be dealt with. Monitor your children’s online activities. Understand what they do on social networks, which platforms they use and who their friends are online. It’s not about ‘policing’ their behaviour, but monitoring is important. Explain to your children that they should alert you as the parent, or alert a trusted adult, if they are being cyber-bullied – that they will not be judged but can seek the right help to fix the issue. Ensure they understand that cyberbullying is not okay – and that it is better to talk up and report it so that the right help can be initiated. Do not take your child’s mobile device away or disconnect their devices from the Internet – this will only frustrate them – rather talk to them and help them with the challenge and monitor their mobile time and use, depending on their age. Educate children about basic online security rules – what can and should not be shared – and privacy guidelines. Ensure their social media pages are set on private, encourage them to only connect with people they know (friends and family) and talk to them about the types of images they share online. Make use of applications, such as Kaspersky Safe Kids, to help you manage your children’s screen time and use of certain apps. Such a solution allows you to set rules for website access, ensuring that sites with harmful content can be blocked. It also uses a GPS tracker, meaning that you can locate your children’s

March 21, 2019

How To Instantly Organize Childhood Memories

How do you survive an influx of your kids’ stuff pouring into your home from school on a regular basis? Today it’s a drawing of your family, tomorrow it’s a painting, yesterday it was a school photo, 3 weeks ago it was a special valentine’s card and next week it might be a footprint in clay. And I’m sure your memory keeping doesn’t stop with creative objects. During the year you’ll take digital photos of a birthday ring, receive a medal of achievement from a sports day and near year end, purchase a video of a school concert. Memory keeping, I’m sure you’ll agree, doesn’t stop there. You’ll most likely celebrate a birthday with a specific theme, and you’ll enjoy a family holiday. Both events will bring loads of digital photos and videos to show for them. And that’s just for one year. Now multiply that by the number of years your child goes to school and multiply the stash of keepsakes you have for every other child you have. Oh, my! That’s a lot of, well… good stuff! Who else is living with the dilemma of clutter in their living space? So why then, do we collect all these objects that take over our lives? I don’t know about you, but my heart goes all mushy when delight fills my daughters’ eyes, as she delivers her little masterpiece into my hands, after a day at school. Her unique voice rambles away with joyful excitement as she explains her creative work. I love being part of her development, watching her grow and flourish from day to day. I especially enjoy participating in the progressing maturity of her work. And that’s why I tend to keep a careful selection of her beautiful efforts. Each piece telling a story of her childhood journey. Sentimental items, that’ll one day take her back in time, of days long forgotten. Browsing through photos of when she was a baby and toddler, never ceases to amaze her. Again, and again, she loves to travel back in time and witness how she has grown over the years. I feel particularly fuzzy inside, when she suddenly gets excited about a birthday theme she had, or friends that were present in her life. She suddenly remembers stories of her past and confidently tells us about them, and as a family, we share in her joy. Children are a joy! As parents we choose to celebrate their lives. And most of the time, I’m sure you’ll agree with me, all these precious memories and valuable mementos of their childhood, are of course, very sentimental. And that’s the reason why we keep these tokens of their lives. How much we tend to keep, is purely a reflection of who we are as individuals. Some moms will keep more, some will keep less, but the point is, we all keep something, because there is priceless value associated to whatever we choose to keep. The problem doesn’t lie with keeping these treasured pieces. The problem therein lies, on where we keep them and how we display all these very dear tokens of childhood. The truth is, most of us moms and dads, think we have solutions for saving our children’s prized works and achievements. We think we have all our digital memories all saved safely and sorted. But if we ask ourselves honestly, do we really have it together? I’ve experienced it all myself and I’m sure dozens of you feel the same. From boxes, of all shapes and sizes, to envelopes, files, books, scrapbooks, flip files, albums, drawers and shelves. We’ve all tried and tested a mix of them all. Some work, some don’t but the combination of assorted methods tend to create havoc on in our lives. To make things worse, and with the advent of the digital world, well this just bamboozles our filing methods all together. Because simply put, there are way too many videos and photos to look through in a single lifetime. And they too, are just dotted all over the place in various drives, SD cards, memory sticks, computers, phones, CDs and DVDs. Do you feel swamped? Do you need a life jacket yet? If you are anything like I was, or how most people are, you’re using a bunch of standalone keepsake methods that are cluttering up your home and life. In isolation they probably work, but honestly, they negatively alter the way every childhood story should unfold, that is, chronologically, in unified sequence. If you want to feel better, faster, I’ll pinpoint ONE staggering storage solution, that’ll save you money, space, time, chaos in the long term. More importantly, this one revolutionary system is guaranteed to accurately and chronologically keep a variety of ALL your keepsakes, art and memories together, in ONE place, in a neat, tidy, organized and compact way. A way that is not only easy to put together, instant to enjoy and look through, but impressively tracks childhood year by year, whilst keeping all documents safe, from anything that can destroy them. ForeverChilds – My File About Me has made a huge difference in my life, and it’s had an impact on the lives of thousands of our happy customers too. I invite you to embark on a new adventure. It’s truly a delight to watch your child grow and capture the journey. To discover more or shop online www.myfilleaboutme.co.za

March 18, 2019

Creating a curious mind and fostering life-long learning by having a growth mind-set

You can teach a student a lesson for a day, but if you can teach him/her to learn by curiosity, he/she will continue the learning process as long as he/she lives – Clay P. Bedford Children are naturally curious. They are constantly exploring the world around them; constantly asking questions, and constantly wondering how things work. The question, therefore, is not how do we create a curious mind, but how do we nurture a child’s curiosity so that they have a continued passion for learning throughout their lives. Learning is about discovering how life works, and children are not afraid to ask the “How?” and “Why?” questions. A curious mind is a hidden force that drives learning, critical thinking, and reasoning. It’s about having an open and active mind. It puts the brain in a state that makes learning easier, more enjoyable, and longer-lasting. Stimulating a child’s curiosity impacts their learning and development for a lifetime. Curious children explore their environment, devour books and information, ask questions, investigate concepts, manipulates data, searches for meaning, connect with people and nature, and seek new learning experiences. So how do we nurture this curious mind? Model interest in the world, and teach them to be good observers When walking around wonder out loud about the things you see. The trees, the sky, etc. Follow the child’s lead Encourage their natural interests. Children learn so much more through activities that capture their attention and interest. Encourage them to ask questions Answer their questions simply and clearly, in a way, they will understand. Before answering though, first, ask them what their thoughts are. If you do not know the answer let them know that not knowing is also ok, and then model how they can go about finding the answers (eg. Internet, talking to someone, etc) Introduce your child to the library and foster a love for books and reading, whether it be story books or about rockets. Stimulate your child with open-ended questions that can’t be answered with only a “ye”, “no” or “fine”. Create an interesting environment, continuously rotate your supply of toys to keep things “fresh”. Redirect behaviour instead of discouraging it. For example, if they like pouring out water from their cup onto the floor from their highchair, move them to the floor or backyard with a bucket in front of them so they can continue experimenting with a water. This will also teach them problem-solving skills, creative and acceptable ways to do and get what they want. Allow time for open-ended activities Do not tell them what to do with materials like boxes, blocks, water, sand, etc; how to do it; or what it should look like in the end. Curiosity broadens a child’s mind, and a broader mind helps in the holistic development of the child. Curiosity should therefore never be suppressed or else it can have an adverse impact on a child’s early development. As John Holt says: “Children do not need to be made to learn” since they are already born with what Einstein called “the holy curiosity of inquiry”. By Lauren Holton, Teacher at Trinityhouse Northriding

March 11, 2019

Does your child have enough space to play?

Play for a child, prepares them for adulthood with all life’s delights and contests. What better way to learn as a child than to be given the chance to play freely in large areas? One of my best memories as a child was of running around the field at Pre-school with my friends in tow, the real excitement at finding new treasure troves, making up games, and the tangible fear we felt, like when we had to climb a high jungle gym or run away from a scary dinosaur! Being brought onto the playground, where we would get stuck in exploring all the new possibilities there for fun, games and imagination. What a treat! Because I was fortunate enough to have a home with a large garden, I remember how liberated I felt being free to meander around without my parents watching me all the time, and how nature became my learning ground. However, I would imagine that this is not the case for most children because of the way society has changed and with many of us now living in townhouse complexes, some with very limited space. Today’s children get so few opportunities to play freely, because we understandably fear for their safety, be it the road or “stranger danger.” My own interest in play and children’s development stems from my experience of working as a Teacher and Principal for the past 27 years, where I meet the most amazing children and their parents every day and fortunately are willing to help them with any issues, usually related to their development, emotions or behaviour. From my work, research, studies and experience, I have gained a good sense of what children need to develop to their full potentials. Not a lot has been written on the benefits of playgrounds, which is surprising given that our children spend so much time in them. Below are 7 good reasons why children should have space to play, based on different aspects of a child’s development: Social, Brain and Language Development Children of all ages develop their social skills on a playground through the creation of “games”, like catch or make-believe play, where the equipment is turned into something else (e.g. obstacle course, hospital, school, etc), where children give themselves roles and they work out the “rules of the game” in cooperation. Playgrounds provide an opportunity for children to practice their social skills, to come up with solutions to problems, and to learn self-control in working out their conflicts. Play also encourages language development, as children often talk aloud during their play (e.g. “Look at me going down the big slide!”), and the interaction with their peers allows them to express their thoughts and feelings and to develop their understanding and spoken skills. I’ve noticed that children who don’t even speak the same language can get on just fine during play! Physical Development and Good Physical Exercise As children progress, they are drawn to different systems of play which encourage their development, like rough and tumble play. Children naturally seek this form of play, which helps them to work out their physical space in the world, where their body begins and where it ends. This is crucial for the development of their motor skills and spatial awareness. It’s FUN! Large open spaces encourage your children to get out there and move! It’s so much fun and exhilarating for them! Playing is your child’s most natural form of expression, regardless of their age, and when they are engaged in it they forget everything else and really enjoy the moment. By Elizabeth Steenkamp, Principal of Junior Colleges Castillian

March 6, 2019

Raising a Science Lover

We often think that science is reserved for high school children and that not all children will be able to excel in science or even enjoy it. This is not the case at all. In world driven by scientific and technological advancements, it’s essential to introduce our children to science from a young age. Inspiring a child to question and test is a large and fun part of learning about the world. After all, science is not about knowing, but rather a journey of discovering. Unfortunately, a lot of parents feel underqualified to take this journey with their children, especially those without any formal training in scientific fields. The good news is you do not need any special skills or training to raise a science lover! Here are few tips to inspire you: 1. Questions, questions, questions….. One of the fundamental aspects of science is asking questions. Encourage them. How does this work? Why did that happen? What is this? These questions may already sound familiar to you as children are naturally curious. We need to encourage children to ask these questions and give them the tools and resources to find the answers. 2. Explore together Visits to the museum, botanical gardens, observatory, and even the local park can be full of interesting subjects for discussion and study. Make notes, take pictures, make drawings of your findings, and revisit them when you get home. You could even combine scientific exploration with your next holiday! 3. Give boys and girls equal exposure and encouragement We often want to fix things and solve problems for girls without including them in the process. The scientific process knows no gender, and girls and boys are equally suited and interested in learning. Make sure to provide equal opportunity for learning by getting girls involved in activities that may not be traditionally girl-orientated and vice versa. 4. Be patient Allow your child to explore, experiment, and observe at their own pace. It’s also important for them to fail occasionally and try again. Our instincts are often to jump in and help at the first sign of a struggle, but this is counter productive. 5. Get the resources Try to provide as many reference books, activity books, online tutorials, and tools* as possible. Easy access to these resources makes learning easy and effortless. After an outing or a discussion, go to your resources and look up all the things you’ve seen and spoken about. This provides an opportunity for further learning and also extends the time spent on science-related activities. 6. Be prepared for some mess Science can get messy! Make sure your child feels comfortable to experiment and allow her to make a mess in the name of science. As long as it is constructive mess, it’s worth the clean-up. Old clothes, an apron, and a plastic table cloth also help. 7. Listen to your child Give your child space to voice her opinion. Try to understand what they are observing and thinking and allow them to explain to you. You could find that you are looking at the same object but seeing completely different things. *A microscope is an invaluable tool to encourage exploration and deepen learning. You can get an ultra-affordable origami-inspired Foldscope online from www.scibuddy.co.za. Foldscopes are durable, easy-to-use, and portable, with 140× magnification. They are available as individual kits or classroom kits containing 20 or 100 units. Deluxe Individual Kits contain an extensive set of accessories to collect specimens and prepare slides. These kits are packaged in a beautiful metal case making it easy for little explorers to keep their Foldscope close at hand. SciBuddy is the exclusive distributor of Foldscopes in South Africa. The owner, Arista Burke, has a background in microbiology and education. She believes that Foldscopes will be a gamechanger for South African children. To find out more about SciBuddy and Foldscope, visit www.scibuddy.co.za or their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SciBuddySA.

March 6, 2019

Listen Up! What’s the big deal with childhood hearing loss?

Hearing is one of the most important senses. Through hearing we learn how to communicate with others, we experience the joy of music, the excitement of laughter, the symphony of nature and the bustling sounds of the city. Hearing also protects us, it alerts us to approaching danger and keeps us connected to the outside world. According to the World Health Organization, about 466 million people have disabling hearing loss, 34 million of these are children. Hearing loss is the most prevalent birth defect and every day 17 babies are born in South Africa with some degree of hearing impairment – half of which have no known risk factors for hearing impairment. In the past, majority of children who were born with congenital hearing loss were only identified at about age 2 when they were not reaching their speech and language milestones. Research has demonstrated that children who are diagnosed with hearing loss and have the appropriate intervention by 6 months of age, will have speech and language milestones comparable to that of a normal hearing child by age three years. What are the causes of hearing loss in children? Congenital Hearing Loss This means that the hearing loss is present at birth. Congenital hearing loss is either caused by genetic or non-genetic factors. Some non-genetic factors include: Birth complications, including the presence of herpes, rubella cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis or another serious infection, lack of oxygen or the requirement of a blood transfusion for some reason. Premature birth. Babies that have a birth weight of less than 1.3 kilograms or that require certain life-sustaining drugs for respiration due to prematurity are at risk for hearing loss. Complications with the Rh factor in the blood A nervous system or brain disorder. The use of ototoxic medication by the mother during pregnancy. Ototoxic medications are not usually illicit substances – medications like various antiobiotics Maternal diabetes. Drug or alcohol abuse by the mother or smoking during pregnancy. Genetic hearing loss means that either the gene for hearing loss was inherited from the parents or that the child presents with a genetic illness commonly associated with hearing loss. Acquired hearing loss A child with acquired hearing loss is not born with a hearing loss but rather acquires the hearing loss due to one of many factors. Factors include: A perforated eardrum Infections like meningitis, measles, mumps or whooping cough Taking ototoxic medications A serious head injury Exposure to loud noise, causing noise-induced hearing loss Untreated or frequent otitis media (ear infections) What signs and symptoms should I look out for in my child? When a child does not turn his/her head towards a sound, especially a loud sound When a child frequently touches or pulls one or both ears When a child reacts to some but not all sounds When a child turns their head upon seeing you, but not when their name is called from outside their field of vision Does my child have difficulty following instructions Does my child ask for instructions to be repeated When a child has delayed speech and language development. If the answer to any of the following is “no”, then your child may have delayed speech and language development: Is my child using single words such as “dada” and “mama” by the age of 1? Is my child using 2-word sentences by the age of 2? Is my child using 3-word sentences by the age of 3? Is my child using understandable 4-5 word sentences by the age of 4? When should I test my child’s hearing? Most private hospitals and some government hospitals have audiologists who assess the babies hearing soon after they are born. Generally, this is an optional service so it is a great idea to opt in for the screening. The audiologists use an OAE (Oto-acoustic emissions) or an AABR (Automated Auditory Brainstem Response) machine. The test generally takes a few minutes and requires no response from your child. The Audiologist will be able to tell you if your child’s hearing is normal or if further testing is required. Even if you don’t feel like your child has a hearing loss it is important to have your child’s hearing tested once a year much like testing their eyesight! What happens if my child has a hearing loss? If your child is diagnosed with a hearing loss the Audiologist will guide you through the process. Depending on the cause, degree and configuration of the hearing impairment, the audiologist will either refer your child for further medical treatment or recommend hearing aids and perhaps a further evaluation for a cochlear implant. Your child will also require intensive speech and language therapy in order to catch up to his/her developmental milestones. The later a child is fitted with amplification the poorer the prognosis is for the child. Early intervention is of the utmost importance, we live in a an incredible time where even children with a profound hearing loss can have access to sound again and become integrated into society with ease. Be sure to contact a qualified Audiologist, if you would like to have your child’s hearing screened.

February 8, 2019

CREATIVE PLAY HELPS CHILDREN GROW

Have you ever watched children at play? Have you seen and heard the wonderful things they say and do to make whatever they are doing fun for them? It is a joy to behold – and can make for some great humour. Children are natural innovators with powerful imaginations. Creativity offers a wide range of intellectual, emotional and even health benefits. Why is creativity important? Creativity should not be underestimated. Creativity helps teach cognitive skills such as mathematics and scientific thinking. Creative thinking involves imagination, basic use of the scientific method, communication, physical dexterity and exertion, problem posing, problem solving, making interpretations, and using symbols that help with future literacy skills. According to article on Loveplayandlearn.com, they explain through the following points why creativity is important to foster in a child. 1. Creativity promotes emotional development Creative expression provides many opportunities for expressing emotions and working through those emotions to gain relief and understanding of them. To help your child do this you could encourage a child who is angry to draw or paint a picture of how they are feeling. You could play varied types of music that invoke different emotions and then ask your child how the music makes them feel. 2. Creativity promotes social development In young childhood, creativity is often a social act. Singing, dancing, puppetry, and theatre all teach the child to pay attention to others as well as develop an understanding of social rules like give and take, and cooperation. Have a dance party with other children or have them put on a play or puppet show with their friends. 3. Creativity supports physical development Working with art materials such as crayons, scissors, paintbrushes, play dough and paint promote fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. To promote gross motor skills try dancing, mural painting, theatre, or large construction projects like building with boxes. 4. Creativity supports language and literacy development By engaging in creative play or projects, children can learn new vocabulary as well as learn to associate pictures with words. As mentioned above try playing different kinds of music and creating a conversation with the child about how it makes them feel, this will boost language expression and understanding. Expose your child to plenty of instruments and talk to them about their favourite one and what sound each instrument makes. Ask them open-ended questions about their art work such as “how did you feel when you drew this” or “how does this painting make you feel?” 5. Creativity promotes cognitive development Creative activities help children to develop attention skills and cognitive learning. Their imagination is in full use and encourages them to come up with new ideas and to think outside of the box since creativity involves exploration and problem solving. Through creative activities such as playing with play dough, children can learn pre-math skills such as the concept of less and more. When children match shapes or colours in their creations, they are learning the math skill one to one correspondence. Creative activities can help them learn about grouping and classification, physical properties of objects, and cause and effect. Painting and play dough are all great ways to explore these concepts. Creativity is the freest form of self-expression. There is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling for children that to be able to express themselves openly and without judgment. The ability to be creative, to create something from personal feelings and experiences, can reflect and nurture a child’s wellbeing. Pay attention to creative play, plan for it and encourage it! By Julia Martin – Grade 00 Teacher Trinityhouse Pre-primary Randpark Ridge

February 8, 2019

The Importance Of Creating a Love for Math

We may take for granted that our children will inevitably learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, but early math lessons establish the base for the rest of their thinking lives. “Mathematics that kids are doing in Grade R, first, second and third grades lays the foundation for the work they are going to do beyond that. “They are learning beyond just counting and numbers.” That’s why it’s so important to help children love math while they are still young. Parents can build on those first preschool lessons by counting with their children, asking them to look for patterns and recognise shapes, then moving on to recognition on number symbols. The goal should be to make math “real” and meaningful by pointing it out in the world around you. That could include checking and comparing prices at the grocery store, driving down the street counting mailboxes, reading recipes, calculating coupons, or even measuring food or drink at the dinner table. Just as you encourage your early reader to look for familiar letters, ask your child to watch for math, regarding math as highly as you do reading. Every parent knows that it’s a good idea to read to your child every night, but they should also realise the importance of talking about mathematical situations with children every day. With so many facts and figures to memorise and apply to math problems, children learn early that math is something that requires work. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun; keep the pleasure in math by playing games with your children. Many games, even the ones adults play, rely on math. With countless websites, computer games and phone apps, parents have endless options, but don’t forget about the nondigital games you loved as a child. The classics that require manipulating cards and game pieces, calculating along the way, may have the same appeal for your kids as they did for you. One game worth considering is Snakes and Ladders , it develops the basic math skills needed to build a strong foundation for number sense and the best part is the kids don’t realise they developing math skills. As you play with your kids, try to tap into your own love for math. When you play Trivial Pursuit, you are using math to determine how many spaces you need to get to the next wedge or predict which category you can answer best. The game doesn’t have to be about math, but should involve it. Make math fun and meaningful and create a love for mathematics at an early age and you will see the rewards later. The Gymathstics Approved Games Tab on the Gymathstics website has amazing logical thinking games that promote math development in young children. Log onto www.gymathstics.co.za for more information

January 25, 2019

Bad Posture may lead to headaches

There are many different medications, surgeries and interventions to treat headaches, but a new study reveals an effective way to treat primary headaches might be at your fingertips – neck stretching. By performing simple neck stretching exercises that stubborn and painful headache might just disappear. The study, published in Workplace Health and Safety, examined the effects of a neck stretching exercise intervention on nurses’ primary headaches. It used a pretest and posttest two-group design with a total of 60 female staff nurses employed by a medical center in Taiwan. Participants in the experimental group (a total of 30 patients) practiced neck stretching exercises while experiencing headaches. The participants in the control group (the other 30 patients) managed their headaches as they would usually do. According to Dr. Elliot Shevel, Medical Director of The Headache Clinic, and South Africa’s internationally recognized Migraine expert and pioneer in the field of Migraine Surgery, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on headache intensity at baseline, and at 30 minutes and 1 hour after intervention. “Decrease in headache intensity of the experimental group was significantly larger than that of the control group,” says Shevel. “The conclusion was that neck stretching exercises is an effective method for treating primary headaches.” What exercises can you do? By simply doing some physiotherapy exercises at the office or in the comfort of your own home, you can treat your own headaches, says Shevel. The Headache Clinic’s in-house Physiotherapist Urvashi Chiba has put together a short demonstration video with practical advice and exercise demonstration. Please click here. Things to remember when doing neck stretching: Do the neck stretches two to three times per day. Stretches are more effective and comfortable when the muscle is warm. Ideally it can be done in the shower, after a bath or after heating the muscles with a heat pack. Do not pull too hard; a gentle pulling sensation should be felt. The stretch should be gentle and should not cause you pain Take regular breaks from the computer or seated position. Maintain correct seated position in front of your computer or desk. Correct computer posture Maintain correct seated position whilst driving. Correct driving posture Avoid awkward positions, especially for extended periods of time. Common awkward positions Slouching in a chair Sticking your bottom out Standing with a flat back Leaning on one leg Hunched back and ‘text neck’ (from hunching over while texting) Poking your chin by sitting too low in front of your screen Rounded shoulders Cradling your phone between head and shoulder

January 24, 2019

Explore the microscopic world – Fun ideas for bored kids

Parents and caregivers need plenty of ideas to keep kids entertained throughout the holiday. If you have access to a basic microscope such as a Foldscope, these fun exploration activities will not only keep the kids occupied, but they will be learning at the same time! To start, you will need a light microscope, microscope slides (glass or make your own from cardboard/paper), coverslips (or sticky tape) to secure the specimen to the slide, a clean container for sample collection, and purified water. Small forceps also come in handy to collect and manipulate specimens. Water bear (tardigrade) hunt Water bears are fascinating creatures that occur all over the world. These micro-animals are able to survive extreme conditions such as freezing cold or high heat, low and high pressures, dehydration, and starvation. They’ve even been shown to survive in outer space! Finding a water bear in your own garden is a special experience, and is sure to pique the interest of children of all ages. Without water, tardigrades enter a state called “cryptobiosis” where their metabolism slows down and they become completely inactive. They are revived from this state when water becomes available again, allowing them to inhabit mosses and lichens that undergo periodic wetting and drying. Collect pieces of moss and/or lichen from bricks, walls, trees, etc. Using a clean implement such as a scraper or blunt knife, remove the moss or lichen and place into a clean container. Try to remove as much dirt from the sample as possible (water bears are more likely to be within the spaces between the moss than in the soil, and the dirt will make it harder to find your water bear). Place your sample of moss or lichen into a small container and add about 20 ml of purified water. Make sure your moss is completely submerged, but do not use too much water as it will be mean more water to search through. Leave the moss to soak for at least 4 hours to give the water bears time to rehydrate and become active. Using a pipette or a straw, collect some of the water and place a drop onto the microscope slide. Cover with a coverslip or sticky tape and place into your microscope or Foldscope. Now you are ready to look for water bears. You may have to make several slides or even find different moss samples if your initial search is unsuccessful. Don’t give up though! Water bears are incredibly abundant and it’s only a matter of time before your patience pays off. Only about 1000 species of these micro-animals have been described by scientists, so there is a good chance you will discover a new species in your own backyard! Pollen Each species of flower’s pollen has unique characteristics. It may be possible to see some of these characteristics using a basic microscope and children will enjoy trying to find the differences. You can collect pollen without picking the flowers by holding a piece of clear sticky tape to the pollen-covered anther. Place the sticky tape onto the microscope slide and observe! Pond-/seawater Pond- and seawater are teeming with microscopic organisms like amoeba, rotifers, nematodes and diatoms. Simply collect some water in a container, place a drop onto a microscope slide and observe. Try to identify as many organisms as you can. Since these creatures are alive and will be swimming around your slide, it is a good idea to take a video if you want to observe them more carefully. Coupling a Foldscope to your smartphone is a quick and easy way to get great videos of your specimens. Foraminifera – armoured amoeba These single-celled microscopic organisms have existed on earth for 570 million years. They are found in all marine environments, but also occur occasionally in freshwater or even on land. Each organism builds a shell around themselves, and these shells have built up for millions of years within the seabed and regions where the sea once flooded the land. Foraminifera fossils are studied for clues about the earth’s climate millions of years ago. Not only are they useful, foraminifera also come in an endless variety of beautiful shapes and colours. If you are able to get some sea sand, you have a good chance of finding some of these armoured amoebae. Tiny insects Even the tiniest insect looks like a scary monster under a microscope! Ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, aphids, and moths look impressive when magnified 100 times. Since light microscopes function on the premise of light passing through the specimen, it is important to select only small insects for this activity. Some parts of the insect will be too thick for light to pass through, but it is possible to observe the legs, feet, mouthparts, and wings. If you have a lightbox (or a Foldscope with an LED light module), thicker specimens can easily be observed. We do not recommend killing insects for this activity. Instead, find dead insects in spider webs, on window sills or in the garden. Place your insect on a microscope slide, cover with a coverslip or sticky tape, and be prepared to be amazed! Don’t have a microscope? Don’t worry! You can get an ultra-affordable origami-inspired Foldscope online from www.scibuddy.co.za. Foldscopes are durable, easy-to-use, and portable, with 140x magnification. They are available as individual kits or classroom kits containing 20 or 100 units. Deluxe Individual Kits contain an extensive set of accessories to collect specimens and prepare slides. These kits are packaged in a beautiful metal case making it easy for little explorers to keep their Foldscope close at hand. SciBuddy is the exclusive distributor of Foldscopes in South Africa. The owner, Arista Burke, has a background in microbiology and education. She believes that Foldscopes will be a gamechanger for South African children. To find out more about SciBuddy and Foldscope, visit www.scibuddy.co.za or their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SciBuddySA.

January 22, 2019

Understanding the effect of alcoholism on children

An Open Letter To My Teacher Dear Teacher, I think it’s time I told you why I have been acting out at school and crying sometimes. I think you know that something is wrong, because you keep asking me, “What’s the matter?” The reason I haven’t told you before is that I can’t talk to you in the hallway with all the other kids staring at me—and until now, I didn’t feel like I could talk to anybody about it. I’m worried about my schoolwork. I keep getting in trouble for not doing my homework, and not listening in class. Sometimes I am so scared that I just get mad at everybody. I don’t mean to yell. I just feel like everyone is picking on me at home and at school. You see, my dad has a drinking problem. It’s called “alcoholism.” It means that he can’t control his drinking. He comes home some nights really drunk and yells at all of us. Then Mom yells back at him for being drunk and spending all the money. Sometimes he hits her, or my sister and me for no reason, just because he is drunk. Sometimes my sister and I are so scared that we hide in our room. I used to hate my mom and dad for all that – Mom for yelling at Dad and making him even madder, and Dad for his drinking. I don’t hate them anymore because I found out why they were like that. One day a lady came and talked to my mom, and I listened, too. She was the one who explained to us what alcoholism is. I learned that my dad was not horrible, just sick. He has a disease called alcoholism. She told us that when there is someone in the house with a drinking problem, the whole family gets hurt by it. She also told my mom about Al-Anon. That is where families and friends of problem drinkers go to understand the disease of alcoholism and how they can stop being so scared and mad all the time. Now Mom goes to Al-Anon. It works, too. Mom doesn’t scream at Dad or us as much anymore. I go to Alateen, that’s for kids affected by someone else’s drinking. Sometimes we have friends that drink too. Now I understand, and it feels good not to be the only one with my kind of problem. I think that teachers should know about alcoholism, because then they would understand kids like me. If you know of any kids who might have a problem with a drinking parent or a drinking friend, you could tell them where they can get help. It really helped me. Your Student ____________________________ For nearly 70 years, Al-Anon Family Groups, globally, has helped the families who live with the disease of alcoholism. The disease of alcoholism in a family member or friend affects children and teenagers in many ways that impact on their behaviour and ultimately, their school work. Frequently, students and educators do not realise that a relationship with an alcoholic could be a factor in poor performance, disruptive behaviour and other problems. Alateen helps young people understand how alcoholism affects the lives of all who are associated with a problem drinker. It especially effective for children in the Teens & Teens age group Alateen in South Africa We have learned that learners are very cautious about attending Alateen meetings at their schools. In some areas Alateen meetings are held in the evenings in a nearby church hall, community centre or somewhere secure. Parents/guardians must give written permission for Alateen attendance. Alateen South Africa has groups across the country. A list of Alateen meetings may be found on our websites: http://www.alanon.org.za/meetings/ http://www.alanongauteng.co.za/ Teen Corner (Alateen) [email protected] — 24 hr Helpline – 0861 25 66 66 Literature & more information is available. Just call us.

January 16, 2019

Preparation tips for parents on back to school headaches

It’s back to school time again. Parents know this time of year all too well. There are school clothes and supplies to be purchased, class and bus schedules to review, and seemingly countless other details to deal with. For children who get headaches, this time of year means anxiety, stress, and chronic head pain. The research conducted by the World Health Organization has shown that 80 % of headaches are caused by muscle tension, which is triggered by stress. “In order to start the school year off right, you need to have a headache strategy” says Dr Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s pioneer in the field of migraine surgery and the medical director of The Headache Clinic. He advises parents to take note of the following: Install a blue light filter on devices If your child uses a computer, tablet or mobile phone for many of their school activities and leisure, installing a blue light filter on each device is recommended to reduce muscle stress of the eyes which contributes to headaches and migraines. Blue light filters also block out the light that contributes to insomnia and poor sleeping. Lack of sleep is also a trigger for headaches and migraines so every member of the family should have blue light filters on their devices too. Choosing the correct backpack/ posture related headache Choosing a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and padded back. Pack light and organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. Always use both shoulder straps as slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and lead to muscle tension headache. Consider a rolling backpack; this type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs. Nutritional lunch boxes/ dietary related headache Nutritious home packed lunches start in the supermarket; use the nutritional facts label to help choose healthy foods. Compare nutrient levels for similar foods. Select those lower in fat, sodium and sugar. Dietary headache is a common affliction. These are usually triggered by foods that assist with energy such as chocolate. Instead of giving your child a chocolate as a sweet treat rather include a fruit. Fruits make a sweet and nutritious contribution to lunch. They are generally rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and water. Take note of which foods trigger headaches for your child by keeping a diary and avoid these foods. A Dietary Trigger Diary is available on this link free of charge to assist you. Remember to remind your child to eat their lunch as skipping meals is a surefire trigger for headaches. Teach them to eat in moderation and enjoy their meals. Ponytails, braids, weaves, tight hats or headbands The scalps of headache sufferers are far more sensitive than people who are not susceptible so be mindful of your child’s hairstyle to ensure that it is not contributing to their headache pain. Pulling hair tight can often cause discomfort but this will be relieved as soon as the pull on the hair is relaxed or released. Remember to pack a fruit juice/ dehydration headache Dehydration is a common trigger, adequate intake of fluid throughout the day to prevent headaches. Select 100% fruit juice, not just any soda drinks. Soda drinks contain mostly caffeine and sugar and are low in nutrients. Caffeine has been known to trigger headaches in children and it is also highly addictive. A better choice is 100% fruit juice or water. First day stress headache Having your child feel anxious and stressed on the first day is a surefire way to trigger a headache. Remind your child that he/she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers also know that students are anxious and will make an effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible. Point out the positive aspect of school, such as it being fun and them getting a chance to make new friends. If you feel it appropriate, drive your child to school and pick them up after on the first day. Taking part in sports/ stretching exercises Parent should encourage their children to take part in physical activities at school as these are not only great fun, but also an important part of playing and learning. It is also vital for healthy growth and development. Persuading those children who don’t enjoy organized sport to take up some other form of everyday physical activity will help them stay healthy. Teach your children the right stretching exercises to stretch the muscles of the head, face, neck and jaw. Stretching should be gentle and soothing, not agonizingly painful. Get your children to stretch their neck and jaw muscles carefully and this will give results. For a free copy of the exercises, contact The Headache Clinic on 011 484 0933. These will help them to stretch the neck and jaw muscles carefully, this will give results. When to consult a medical professional If your child’s headache persists, it is imperative that you undergo a multidisciplinary investigation to diagnose the specific factors behind the recurring headache. There are a number of healthier treatment options to medication available right here in South Africa. It is possible to get to the bottom of the problem and resolve the pain permanently without medication so that your child can enjoy the quality of life they deserve. For more information go to www.theheadacheclinic.net alternatively contact The Headache Clinic hotline on 011 484 0933.

January 11, 2019

Is anxious the new normal?

Majority of Generation Z admit to feeling anxious about something in their daily lives and often don’t seek advice to help them cope with it Kaspersky Lab partners with The Mix to launch #AndOwningIt campaign and help young people embrace their insecurities and realise that they are not barriers to achieving happiness. A new Kaspersky Lab report has shown that Generation Z is the most anxious to date, with the vast majority of young people admitting they are worried about something in their lives, and the majority do not seek professional advice to help them cope with it. In line with its global commitment to turn insecurity into security, Kaspersky Lab has joined forces with digital youth charity The Mix to help young people from around the world embrace their own insecurities and show that they are not barriers to achieve happiness, through a new campaign – #AndOwningIt. With their world dominated by online news and social media, nearly half of Generation Z (young people aged between 13 and 23) said they feel more anxious about their appearance than about their career prospects, money, terrorism and being bullied. The study revealed that these anxious feelings, or worries, can impact young people’s behaviour, including how they approach social media. For example, it is quite common for Generation Z to create a more manufactured, or perfect, perception of how they look. Most young people also spend up to half an hour editing their images or videos ahead of posting them on social media platforms, in order to create a flawless image. One more important finding is that girls are more insecure than boys, as they feel much more anxious about their appearance than their male counterparts. Nearly double the number of female Gen Z-ers, when compared to male Gen Z-ers, also admit to changing their eating habits (such as overeating or refraining from eating) because of appearance related anxieties. Body improvement and fitness content on social media makes young women feel worse than young men, and females have admitted to skipping a social event in the past year due to social anxiety. What’s more important is that Generation Z does not seek help on what to do when they are feeling anxious. The majority of young people do not visit a doctor for advice on how to cope with their anxieties. So, while many young people are struggling, they are not sure about how to deal with their feelings. In order to tackle this, Kaspersky Lab has joined forces with The Mix, a digital youth charity supporting people under the age of 25, to launch a new campaign to help turn Generation Z insecurities into securities. This new campaign – #AndOwningIt – aims to help young people lead happier lives by empowering them to embrace the very things that make them feel insecure and allowing them to realise these insecurities are not barriers to happiness. Why? Because the first step to turning an insecurity into a strength is owning it. The campaign will be supported by custom t-shirts, featuring the most common insecurities young people have, encouraging them to accept their insecurities and start a conversation. All of the profits from selling the t-shirts will go to The Mix. Chris Martin, CEO at The Mix said: “Across the world there are global issues which all Gen Z citizens face but there is still a stigma surrounding how they share their feelings and talking openly about mental health. Feeling anxious or worried can become very isolating for young people – but the truth is that there are many who struggle with how they feel, and things do get better. Our new campaign will help young people show others that they are not held back by any of their insecurities and the often hostile atmosphere of social media does not have to impact them. We are delighted to join forces with Kaspersky Lab and continue our important work of helping Generation Z open up about their mental health and empowering them to flourish. We’re calling for everyone to own the aspect of their lives that others may criticise, or they are worried about, to prove there are no boundaries in becoming confident and successful.” Kaspersky Lab and The Mix are urging Generation Z, along with their friends, to join the conversation across social media with the #AndOwningIt hashtag, as well as purchasing a t-shirt to show their support. Ilijana Vavan, Managing Director, Europe, at Kaspersky Lab said: “For many years, Kaspersky Lab has helped families and businesses fight online insecurity and remain protected from cyberthreats. Now we want to help young people around the globe turn their insecurities into securities and overcome their real-life anxieties, as they try to prosper in a digital age that no other generation has faced before. They fear they won’t be able to be successful and happy due to circumstances that are both in and out of their control. This campaign is to help Generation Z realise they only create these barriers inside themselves and it’s in their own hands to get past these insecurities and own them.” As part of its study, Kaspersky Lab surveyed 1,003 13 to 23-year-olds in the UK to discover more about their insecurities and what they feel anxious about. To find out more and read the report findings, head to the Kaspersky Lab website. For specific help in continuing to tackle anxiety or other mental health challenges, reach out to The Mix – the information and support they offer is universal and can be accessed internationally.

January 9, 2019

8 Best apps for parents to monitor their children

Monitoring the activities of the children has become a huge challenge for the parents in the modern days. Mobile phones and children can be a dangerous duo. You are always fearful about their mobile activities. Kids nowadays tend to use their elders’ mobile phones or their own mobile phones at a little age. This poses a great threat to their parents as they fail to monitor their kids’ mobile use. However, there are a variety of apps that enable you to monitor your kids and limit their mobile activities. Following are a few most significant apps for controlling your kids: mSpy mSpy is the most widely used parental control app for the smartphones. It enables the parents to monitor the calls, location, Whatsapp, Snap chat, and text messages of the children. This app has plenty of useful features. It specifically allows you to limit the social media usage by the kids. You can control your kids’ Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and even photos and videos. The use of mSpy is pretty easier. You just need to purchase the mSpy or subscribe. Then you need to install the app,and your tracking process is initiated. The parents have most satisfied with this app. They offer 24/7 multi-language customer support. In addition, mSpy is one of the cheapest child phone tracker applications. Footprints Using the Footprints app, you can always acknowledge the location of your child. It allows you to use the GPS in real time for knowing where your child is. This app assists you in keeping track of your kid or automatically locate him. It keeps you aware of where your goes with his phone. In case he is traveling alone, you can confirm whether he is meeting up with friends or has arrived at a particular location. The information regarding his location is only shared with the authorized person. No other person can access his location. The data can also be saved for later review. Dinner Time There are a few apps that limit the mobile use of your child. Dinner Time is one of the apps that restrict the use of the mobile device during bedtime, study time, and dinnertime. This app enables you to unlock and lock your child’s mobile device instantly. You can do this by your own mobile device. Therefore, you can enjoy a better time with your family and make your kid focus on sleep and school work. However, it is a necessity of this app that the device of the child must be android. The device of parents can be Android, iPhone or any other. This app does not work if the child’s mobile device is not android. Overall, it is a wonderful app which offers three modes including Bed Time, Take a Break and Dinner Time. All these modes limit the use of the mobile device by your child. Family Time Family Time is an app that does almost everything. It allows you to customize the control options for behavior and content that you need to prevent. The app offers you tools for setting bedtime and homework. You can restrict the time that your children spend on their smartphones. It also offers a geo fencing option. This alerts you when the phone enters a prohibited area. It also enables you to control or block any applications, keep an eye on their contact lists, and monitor their calls and text messages. This child phone tracker app may trouble parents at the start. Hence, you need some time for learning how to use this app. It isn’t one of the simplest to use applications. Q studio Q studio is an excellent, efficient, and use the friendly app for the parents who don’t have enough time. It provides a dashboard which expresses all the recent mobile activities on any device. It even determines the time spent on different services such as Twitter and Instagram. It allows you to set restrictions on time, track the calls and texts, filter out the racy sites, and set restrictions on the different apps and games. It is one of the top control software for limiting the children’s mobile activities and usage. ESET Parental Control ESET is another leading parental control app specifically for Android devices. ESET has several useful features that permit for more delicate control than many other child security applications. It allows website and app locks. A key feature is that you can select age-based features that can be switched as the children grow up. It gives you an opportunity to allow more number of websites in the future while keeping them protected. There is an additional feature of parent message which delivers a message that kids need to respond to prior to continuing using their smartphone. ESET also allows the kids to request additional time, but parents can set the limits on the device use. Pumpic Pumpic is an app that can be used on both iOS and Android devices. Its clean interface assists the parents to deal with the lengthy list of the tools that usually come up with the app. It allows you to tracks messages and calls and limit and blocks them as required. You can also monitor the websites visited by your child along with his activities on social media. There is also an option for tracking the location of the device and the history of the locations where the device has been. In addition, you can wipe and lock down the mobile device. Our Pact Specifically designed for iOS devices, this app is a cheap option for mobile control of your kid. It is a streamlined app that provides fundamental parental control services. It does not make you get complicated. Instead, it is an easy to use app. It offers one of the most affordable plans for utilizing the parental control services. Using this app, you can block the internet access of your child. You can also develop different time schedules and pose limits on the access of specific apps and websites. It

January 9, 2019

‘Oh Shit!’

The day I had been dreading has finally arrived: the day my potty mouth has made me fail as a mother. ‘Oh, shit!’, my almost two-year-old exclaims with glee as I am busy wiping up the water I just spilled all over the table, while sitting at one of our favourite child-friendly restaurants in Johannesburg He is, of course, copying what I had just said a minute ago when I knocked my glass over, and although I try and ignore the words, not wanting to make a big deal out of the situation, Bean is now excitedly running around the garden repeating my profanity – over and over and over again. A few days later, I am trying to phone our gardener, Robert, but the signal keeps cutting out. I, out of frustration, shout into the phone, ‘Robert, ROBERT, ROBBEERT’, misguidedly thinking that this will miraculously change the signal quality of our call. Bean, being the parrot that he is, starts shrieking in a voice which eerily sounds like my own, ‘Robert, ROBERT, ROBBEERT’. I stop, shocked, and in my best voice repeat, ‘Hello Robert’ in the hope that when he sees Robert again, he does not repeat my shrieking outburst (not that this has helped – poor Robert gets shrieked at, at least once every time he is here). Do I really sound that bad? And look so scary when I am upset? Because Bean, not only successfully copies my words and my voice, no, he manages expression as well! And the worst of it all is that I cannot even be angry at him – he is simply doing what a toddler does, using me as an example. And so, I laugh, a reaction which Bean loves and a reaction which makes him want to repeat whatever it was that I thought was so funny. It’s a trap, and a very humbling one at that. If you think that someone needs a humbling experience, put them in the same room as a parrot-toddler. There is nothing quite like your pride and joy holding up that figurative mirror, happily showing you all the flaws which you have so successfully been able to ignore all these years, in all their glory. Whether it’s your potty mouth or your frustrated ‘AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH’ when something does not want to work as it’s supposed to, trust me, your ‘parrot-toddler’ will repeat it. And he will repeat it at the most inconvenient time, while you are proudly telling someone of your most recent parenting win, for example. Luckily, Bean manages to copy the good as well, the parts of me that I am quite happy to share and see repeated, the parts which make me proud. So, from now on (yes, I have mentioned this before, quite a few times in fact, but repetition does at some point lead to learning) I will focus on the good and try and be better, calmer, more patient. We have started using the words, ‘Oh, sherbet’ now and that seems to be doing the trick but, I have to admit, every now and again, when my guard is down and I am tired and frustrated, that true Alexa potty mouth still makes an appearance. Flaws do not get ironed out overnight it seems. And as for Robert, well, he just laughs. Luckily, he is quite taken by our little Bean it seems.

January 8, 2019

Inspire kids to BE MORE with Transformers Bumblebee!

The first time you saw a yellow Volkswagen Beetle turn into an all-powerful robot, you felt something, a feeling that never left, a feeling that drives you to explore your own limits, to run a little faster, to push a little harder or dig a little deeper and to never EVER settle for what’s right in front of you. A feeling that stirred the notion that things aren’t always what they seem, and anything can be more than meets the eye! BUMBLEBEE, is a bodaciously brave Autobot who makes every moment epic with cool mix tapes, killer dance moves, and parkour power tricks. The pop-culture-loving bot easily befriends humans with a fearless spark and bright personality. With his friends by his side, he fearlessly blasts into adventures to unleash the power within. Launching in cinemas from the 21st December 2018, Bumblebee is not only the title of the latest release in the Transformers movie franchise he’s also the star of the show. The fun lovable character is the hero fans look to when they need the motivation and courage to be more than others expect. Bee encompasses some great lessons to encourage kids to embrace kindness, fearlessness and confidence and be the best that they can be! Taking inspiration from Bumblebee, Educational Psychologist, Melanie Hartgill, offers some advice for parents, teachers and caregivers – looking to encourage the children in their life to BEE MORE. Remember to praise your children for their efforts and continuously reinforce positive behaviour. Show your children that the effort they put in is more important than whether they win or lose. Remind children that if they are going to do something, they should always do it to the best of their ability. If you are always working towards a goal or a dream, you will immediately be in a better place than where you started. Never stop being curious and continue to try out new and unfamiliar opportunities. With so many things to do and learn from – you never know what you are capable of until you try. It’s important to maintain balance – with time to learn, time to play, time to relax, time to socialise and time to be active being equally important. No one succeeds at everything all the time, failure is an important part of the learning and growing process – focus on this rather than getting caught up in the disappointment. Aiming for perfection is not realistic, rather work to the best of your ability and seek help in the areas you are struggling with. Everyone needs help sometimes, don’t be afraid to ask. Most importantly – always believe in yourself and your ability to achieve. Immerse yourself in the world of BUMBLEBEE with the latest Hasbro product range available from leading retailers including: Checkers, Toys R Us, Toy Kingdom, Toy Zone, Hamleys, Toy Adventures and Takealot.com. Join the buzz with the Studio Series H-01 Movie 6 Bumblebee Showcase Helmet that captures the cool swagger of the loyal Autobot scout. Imagine charging into battle with Power Charge Bumblebee. Action figure converts from robot mode to classic Volkswagen Beetle mode in 17 steps, so kids can amp up the power in 2 modes. The Bumblebee DJ Stryker figure brings a whole new beat to the game by interacting with fans and allowing them to create their own original tunes and so much more to choose from. Fans also have an opportunity to drive away in their very own Bumblebee replica VW Beetle with all the bodacious trimmings. All you need to do is purchase any product from the Hasbro Transformers range, between 22 October to 31 December, from select Checkers stores nationwide and you can stand in line to win this awesome prize (T&C apply). To see what you could win visit @TransformersSouthAfrica on Facebook for more details. #JoinTheBuzz on Facebook @TransformersSouthAfrica

December 13, 2018

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